forgetfuladj.
/fəˈɡɛtf(ᵿ)l/, U.S. /fərˈɡɛtf(ə)l/ 1. Apt, inclined, or liable to forget; having a bad memory. Also, that forgets: const. of.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > memory > faulty recollection > [adjective]
forgetelc1000
forgetful1382
mindlessa1425
obliviousc1450
unremembered1453
immemor1535
unremembering1540
unrecalling1594
immemorious1602
elapsive1652
remindless1657
unrecording1813
unretentive1825
forgetting1847
memoryless1857
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) James i. 25 Not maad a forȝetful herer, but a doer of werk.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 165 We ben ful freel and forȝeteful.
1509 J. Fisher Mornynge Remembraunce Countesse of Rychemonde (de Worde) sig. Aii v She wolde not be..forgetefull of ony kyndnes or seruyce done to her before.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) iv. ii. 306 Beare with me good Boy, I am much forgetfull . View more context for this quotation
1796 S. T. Coleridge Monody Death Chatterton (rev. ed.) in Poems Var. Subj. 9 Wisely forgetful!
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xiv. 97 Forgetful of the glory of the past.
2. Heedless, neglectful. Const. of or infinitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > carelessness > [adjective] > negligent
yemelesc897
recklesseOE
unshrivel1340
lashc1374
negligenta1382
laches1418
lachous1484
forgetful1526
neglect1603
wreaklessa1616
slighty1658
relasch1663
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Heb. xiii. 2 Be not forgetfull to lodge straungers.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 143 Th' unwary Lover cast his Eyes behind, Forgetful of the Law. View more context for this quotation
1720 M. Prior Horace i. ix. 16 I..intend To serve myself, forgetful of my Friend.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 3 Forgetful of his glory and his name.
3. That causes to forget, inducing oblivion. Chiefly poetic. (Cf. oblivious adj.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > memory > faulty recollection > [adjective] > causing forgetfulness
forgetful1557
lethy1613
Lethieda1616
Lethean1650
oblivial1721
amnestic1879
antimnemonic-
1557 Earl of Surrey et al. Songes & Sonettes (new ed.) f. 112v Reason runnes about, To seke forgetfull water.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 74 If the sleepy drench Of that forgetful Lake benumme not still. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 392 Compell'd to drink the deep Lethæen Flood: In large forgetful draughts.
1787 Generous Attachm. I. 157 The self same bed..once received an honoured parent..to its soft forgetful down.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xxxv. 54 The sound of that forgetful shore. View more context for this quotation
Derivatives
forˈgetfully adv. in a forgetful manner.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > memory > faulty recollection > [adverb]
obliviouslyc1487
forgettingly1607
forgetfullya1716
a1716 R. South Serm. Several Occasions (1744) VIII. 416 It is our duty..forgetfully to accept the oppression.
1731 Boyse From C. Dryden's Horti Arlingtoniani in Poems 36 Through the Maze forgetfully they stray.
1859 K. Cornwallis Panorama New World I. 70 One of them having forgetfully left his umbrella behind him.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1382